Will Walt survive? Read on and let me know what ya think

"Walt Longmire, please. Where is he?" I flashed my badge at the woman sitting in the Information desk at the hospital in Durant. I wrote down what she told me and hurried to the waiting area outside of the Trauma Center at the Durant hospital. An orderly informed me that Walt was in surgery right now and that he would have someone come get me when they were through operating on Walt.

" Did the medical staff say anything about the nature of the Sheriff's wounds?" I asked him, trying hard to keep any trace of emotion from my voice.

" No, Ma'am" all I can tell you is that they rushed the sheriff into the O.R. I processed the paperwork myself. "

"Thanks, I said. I sat down in one of the hard, cold chairs and texted Ferg.

AT HOSPITAL. WAITING ON SURGEON. W. SURGERY.

AT CADYS HOUSE WILL DRIVE HER TO HOSP IN MY CAR SOON. WALTS HANDGUN WAS NOT FOUND AT SCENE.

SHIT. THX FOR LETTING ME KNOW. WHAT WERE RESULTS OF FINGERPRINT DUST?

JUST WALTS AND DR DONNA.

IS SHE IN THE SYSTEM?

DUNNO. WILL RUN HER PRINTS AND GET BACK 2 U.

THX.

Dr Donna's prints were found at Walt's house. That came as no surprise to me, as I knew she was there with Walt last night.

Even though I had only eaten toast this morning, suddenly I felt as though I were to barf . I put my head between my knees and closed my eyes, trying hard to not see Walt's angry face in my mind .

We said some things to each other that should not have been said , but he had been acting so strange and I finally called him out on his bullshit. He has not been the same person since Barlow Connelly's death, and I know he blames himself for Branch's murder. Hell, I know he blames himself for my divorce, even though Sean and I would have separated even if Walt had not been my partner on the force and my boss. Sean is a nice guy, but a wimp. Even before we married and I was still working homicide in Philly, Sean felt jealous of my dedication to my work. The room started spinning and I steadied myself by putting my hands on the floor.

" Deputy Moretti, are you all right? The sheriff is out of surgery now and in recovery. We got the bullets from his abdomen , and it narrowly missed a major artery. He's a lucky man. "

I raised my head .

"Thanks. Can I see him?"

"I'll check with the doctor"

I texted a quick note to Ferg.

OUT OF SURGERY. GOT THE SLUG. IN RECOVERY NOW.

THANK GOD! WILL TELL CADY. I CAN PICK UP EVIDENCE TO TAKE TO CRIME U STAY THERE?

YES. HUG CADY FOR ME.

SHE WILL COME W/ME TO HOSP.

The orderly reappeared as I put my phone back into my jeans pocket.

" Deputy, you may see the sheriff now. But He's not awake yet. Follow me."

Walt lay on a narrow hospital gurney, with machines and tubes everywhere. Eyes closed, he looked as if he were peacefully sleeping. I walked up to him and gently placed a hand on his forhead.

" I'm just so glad you're ok. Now isn't the time to tell you, but you're gonna hear it anyway: I don't like that doctor you say you're not dating."

I massaged his hair, careful not to jostle the oxygen mask around his mouth and nose.

I steadied myself by placing my left hand on the rail of the gurney as I leaned forward to smooth his hair. His left hand, free of IV needles, grasped my left hand tightly.

"Walt, Walt, I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere" I planted a kiss on his cheek.